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Maintaining social connections in the setting of COVID-19 social distancing: a call to action

M.S. Pantell, L. Shields-Zeeman
Am J Public Health

The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest public health crisis the United States has faced in generations. The devastating direct medical consequences of COVID-19 have been accompanied by far-reaching economic and social consequences, including increased risk of social isolation and loneliness.

Social isolation is conceptualized as the objective lack of social contact with others,1 such as the absence of a live-in partner or limited contact with others. Loneliness is conceptualized as a subjective experience and refers to the perception of social isolation or the feeling of being lonely.1 Even when people are not socially isolated, they might feel lonely if their contact with others does not provide enough of a sense of social support and connection. Both social isolation and loneliness are associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, and thus it is no surprise that even before the COVID-19 crisis, Vivek Murthy, the former US surgeon general, referred to loneliness as a national epidemic.

Pantell MS, Shields-Zeeman L. Maintaining social connections in the setting of COVID-19 social distancing: a call to action. Am J Public Health. 2020;110(9):1367-1368. PMID: 32783711. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305844.

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Publication year
Resource type
Commentaries & Blogs
Social Determinant of Health
Social Support/Social Isolation